Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has appointed a lawyer, consultanta nd Trinity College teacher as the state's next consumer counsel.

Elin Swanson Katz will start in the post on Oct. 3. The consumer counsel's office advocates on behalf of utility company customers when gas, telephone, electricity, cable television and water providers seek rate hikes, among other responsibilities. The office is an independent state agency.

"The Office of Consumer Counsel represents the interests of utility ratepayers in Connecticut first and foremost, and I look forward to being their staunchest advocate in state government," Katz said in a statement announcing her appointment.

Malloy praised Katz, saying she "brings a deep breadth of knowledge and experience to this position, and I'm confident that she will be a strong advocate on behalf of utility consumers in our state.

Malloy added, "I look forward to having her tackle these complex issues and represent the interests of Connecticut ratepayers before anything else."